| It's that time again to pay your credit card bill, so | | | | 4. Always read the website's privacy policy. Some |
| you head over to your company's website and as | | | | websites may reserve the right to sell/give your |
| you begin scanning your credit card statement, | | | | information to a third party. Check the document |
| you are shocked to see three unauthorized | | | | to see if they allow an opportunity to "opt-out" of |
| charges. Fortunately, they are small amounts and | | | | receiving special offers from third-party vendors |
| are easy to get credits issued by the company. | | | | or for permission to share your personal |
| However, it is unquestionably a wake-up call for | | | | information. |
| you to pay more attention when you are making | | | | 5. Always check for a lock symbol in the status |
| online purchases so that you don't become a | | | | bar at the bottom of your Web browser window. |
| victim of Internet fraud. | | | | Also, do not provide your personal information if |
| A record $65.1 billion was spent in 2004 for online | | | | the website address doesn't start with "https" (a |
| consumer spending. More and more people are | | | | sign that the website is using a secure server). |
| attracted to the ease of online shopping and are | | | | 6. Always choose only verified sellers. Check to |
| spending greater amounts. Unfortunately, the | | | | see if the vendor is a verified member of a |
| probability of becoming a casualty of Internet | | | | reputable third party such as the Better Business |
| fraud is also escalating. The Internet National Fraud | | | | Bureau, VeriSign, or Guardian eCommerce. These |
| Center Watch declared that the typical loss to | | | | third-party sites help to ensure online consumers |
| fraud victims for just the first half of 2005 was | | | | will be protected when shopping or conducting |
| $2,579. This is compared to the $895 average for | | | | e-commerce transactions. |
| all of 2004. Complaints relating to general goods | | | | 7. Always check that the delivery date posted is |
| purchases (merchandise never received or | | | | reasonable. If you have not dealt with the vendor |
| misrepresented) accounted for 30% of Internet | | | | on a regular basis, be cautious of any website |
| fraud complaints, and auction purchases headed | | | | that states the shipment will be delayed 20 days |
| the list at 44%. | | | | or more. Delivery dates of 7-10 days are more |
| While many e-commerce websites are | | | | common. |
| trustworthy and have taken the necessary | | | | 8. Always keep a paper trail of all online |
| safety measures to protect you, it never hurts | | | | transactions. Print out a hard copy of the |
| to always be careful. If you have decided to | | | | transaction and keep it in a file for future |
| make an online purchase, you might think about | | | | reference. |
| these ten simple rules: | | | | 9. Always be cautious of website offers that just |
| 1. Always avoid using an ATM or debit card. Use | | | | sound too good to be true. The Internet is littered |
| only one credit card, preferably with a low credit | | | | with get rich quick scams and false advertising |
| limit, when making online purchases. 2. Always be | | | | claims. Investigate all claims thoroughly before |
| wary of unsolicited offers by sellers. The Internet | | | | proceeding. |
| National Fraud Information Center Watch reported | | | | 10. Always contact your state's Department of |
| that email, as a method of contact by Internet | | | | Consumer Affairs for further assistance if you do |
| scammers was up 22% in 2004.While the offer | | | | not receive what you paid for, and the vendor will |
| might be legitimate, spammers like to use this | | | | not return your emails or calls. |
| tactic to side-step reputable sites that provide | | | | These common sense rules about online |
| consumer protection for online purchases. | | | | purchases will eventually become second nature |
| 3. Always use only reputable e-commerce | | | | as you continue to use the Internet. They can |
| websites that list their street address and | | | | also save you untold anguish and alarm when you |
| telephone number in case you need to get in | | | | discover that you've been billed for purchases |
| touch with them directly. | | | | that were never authorized. |